THE CHICAGO GARDENER

Winter's prime time to get out the pruners

Now (in late January or early February) is prime time for pruning most trees and shrubs. Plants are dormant, so you won't stimulate new growth that might get whacked by a hard freeze.

Without leaves, you can see the structure of deciduous plants and decide what should stay and what should go.

Good pruning has many benefits: improving air circulation, removing oldest wood to boost new growth and blooms, improving shape, controlling size. But don't prune shrubs that will bloom in spring; you'll be cutting off flower buds. Wait until after they bloom. For advice on pruning, see ext.vt.edu/pubs/nursery/430-459/430-459.html and howto.tv/show/prune(underscore)trees(underscore)and(underscore)shrubs.

Gardening down to earth

Imagine dirt under your fingernails when the Prince of Wales' head gardener and other speakers present a "Down to Earth Gardening" symposium Thursday [Jan. 31] at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

David Howard runs Prince Charles' organic estate at Highgrove in England. He will be joined by author Helen Dillion (whose down-to-earth ideas include using garbage cans as planters); native plant expert William Cullina and other speakers. Their collective theme will be "gardening smarter, problem solving and going green with the best new plants," according to the event's organizers at Horticulture magazine.

Cost, including lunch, is $129. For details of the program and to register, see hortprograms.com or call 877-436-7764.